Carton and carton blank

ABSTRACT

A carton for packaging one or more articles includes a top panel, base panel and pair of opposing side panels forming a tubular structure, each end of the tubular structure being at least partially closed by a respective one of first and second opposed end walls each formed from end closure panels. The carton includes first and second detachable corner portions defined by first and second weakened lines of severance respectively. The first detachable portion includes a first portion of the first end wall whereas the second detachable corner portion includes a first portion of the second end wall. The second portion of the first end wall is operable upon removal of the first detachable corner portion to form a dispenser, and a second portion of the second end wall is operable to form a handle upon removal of the second detachable corner portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO FOREIGN APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of GB Application No. 1111989.8, filed Jul. 13, 2011,the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carton and carton blank, more specifically, but not exclusively to a carton having a pair of removable corner portions and a method of dispensing the carton contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary product containers, such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles.

It is also desirable to provide a package and method of use which enables simple and rapid deployment of the carton contents.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles comprising a top panel, base panel and pair of opposing side panels forming a tubular structure, each end of the tubular structure being at least partially closed by a respective one of first and second opposed end walls, each formed from end closure panels, wherein the carton comprises a first detachable corner portion defined by a weakened line of severance and comprising a first portion of said first end wall, a second detachable corner portion defined by a second weakened line of severance and comprising a first portion of the second end wall, wherein a second portion of the first end wall is operable upon removal of the first detachable corner portion to form a dispenser, and a second portion of the second end wall is operable to form a handle upon removal of the second detachable corner portion.

Preferably, wherein the dispenser comprises a lower portion of each of first and second side end closure panels of the first end wall, and at least a portion of a lower end closure panel of the first end wall, the lower portions of the first and second side end closure panels and the at least a portion of the lower end closure panel form a channel.

Preferably, wherein the second portion of the second end wall comprises an engaging edge at least a portion of which is arcuate in shape.

Preferably, wherein the first detachable portion comprises a tear initiation mechanism defined in the top panel for initiating removal of the first detachable corner portion.

Preferably, wherein the tear initiation mechanism comprises either a hinged tab or aperture adjacent the first detachable corner portion.

Preferably, wherein the second detachable corner portion comprises an engaging tab defined in the second end wall for initiating removal of the second detachable corner portion.

Preferably, wherein the engaging tab is formed from at least a portion of a glue tab for securing upper and lower end closure panels of the second end wall to one another.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles comprises a top panel, base panel and first and second side panels together forming a tubular structure, each end of the tubular structure being at least partially closed by a respective one of first and second opposed end walls each formed from end closure panels, wherein the first end wall comprises a dispenser formed from the end closure panels of the first end wall and wherein the dispenser is deployable upon severance of a weakened line of severance, wherein the weakened line of severance extends across the first end wall into each of the first and second side panels and across the top panel to form a continuous weakened line.

Preferably, wherein the end closure panels of the first end wall comprise upper and lower end closure panels hinged to the top and base panels respectively and first and second opposed side end closure panels hinged to the first and second side panels respectively, the lower end closure panel being hinged to the base panel, the lower end closure panel comprises a tear strip defined in part by the weakened line of severance and wherein the tear strip is secured to the upper end closure panel and to each of the first and second side end closure panels and wherein upon removal of the tear strip the lower end closure panel and lower portions of the first and second side end closure panels are formable into a channel to form said dispenser.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a loading tool for loading one or more articles into a receiver, the loading tool comprising a tubular structure for receiving one or more articles, the tubular structure having a first open end comprising a channel and a partially open second end for insertion of a pusher into the tubular structure to load said one or more articles into the receiver.

Preferably, comprising panels for forming a tubular structure and first and second opposed end walls each comprising end closure panels for closing a respective one of opposed ends of the tubular structure, the carton further comprising a first detachable corner portion comprising at least a portion of the first end wall and a second detachable corner portion comprising at least a portion of the second end wall, remaining portions of the first end wall being formable into a channel upon removal of the first detachable corner portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of dispensing one or more articles from a carton comprising removing an upper portion of a first end wall of the carton by severing a first weakened line of severance;

removing an upper portion of a second end wall of the carton by severing a second weakened line of severance; unfolding a lower portion of the first end wall to form a channel; holding a lower portion of the second end wall whilst pushing one or more articles adjacent said second end wall toward the channel so as to dispense said one or more articles through the channel out of the carton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view from above of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above of a first end portion of the carton of FIG. 2 in which a first corner portion of the first end has been partially detached from the carton;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of a second end portion of the carton of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of a second end portion of the carton of FIG. 2 in which a second corner portion of the carton has been detached;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of the carton of FIG. 2 in which both the first and second end portions have been removed and carton contents are being deployed; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the carton of FIG. 6 in which the carton contacts have been discharged from the carton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a plan view of a blank 10 capable of holding one or more primary products, such as, but not limited to, bottles or cans, hereinafter referred to as articles C.

Blank 10 comprises a series of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 hinged one to the next in a linear series. Main panel 12 forms a first side wall panel 12, which is hinged to main panel 14 along fold line 13. Main panel 14 forms a top panel 14. Top panel 14 is hinged to main panel 16 which forms a second side wall 16 along a second fold line 15.

Second side panel 16 is hinged to main panel 18 along third fold line 19. Main panel 18 forms a base panel 16 of the carton 90.

Main panel 20 forms a securing panel 20 and is hinged to base panel 16 along a fourth fold line 19.

First side wall panel 12 comprises optional bevel panels 56, 58 hinged along opposing ends there of by respective fold lines 23, 33.

Second side wall panel 16 comprises optional bevel panels 54, 60 hinged along opposing ends thereof by fold lines 27, 37 respectively.

Securing panel 20 comprises optional bevel panels 56 b, 58 b hinged along opposing end edges thereof by fold lines 23 b, 33 b respectively.

First and second side end closure panels 22 a/22 b, 24 a/24 b are hinged to opposing ends of the first side wall panel 12; in the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 via a respective one of bevel panels 56, 58, by fold lines 21, 35 respectively.

Third and fourth side end closure panels 22 c/22 d, 24 c/24 d are hinged to opposing ends of the second side wall panel 16; in the preferred embodiment via the respective one of bevel panels 54, 60 along fold lines 25, 39 respectively.

First upper end closure panel 26 is hinged to a first end edge of top panel 14 along fold line 47.

Second upper end closure panel 28 is hinged to a second end edge of top panel 14 along a fold line 45. First lower end closure panel 30 is hinged to a first end of base panel 18 along fold line 51. Second lower end closure panel 32 is hinged to a second end edge of base panel 18 along a fold line 47.

First lower end closure panel comprises a tear strip 34 which is severably connected thereto by a weakened line of severance.

First and second securing flaps 52 a and 52 b are coupled to securing panel 20 along fold lines 35 b, 51 b respectively, in the preferred embodiment a respective one of the optional bevel panels 56 b, 58 b interconnects the securing panel 20 to one of the first or second securing flaps 52 a, 52 b respectively.

First gusset panel 36 a interconnects first upper end closure panel 26 to first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b.

Second gusset panel 36 b interconnects first upper end closure panel 26 to third side end closure panel 22 c/22 d.

Third gusset panel 38 a interconnects second upper end closure panel 28 to second side end closure panel 24 a/24 b.

Fourth gusset panel 38 b interconnects second upper end closure panel 28 to fourth side end closure panel 24 c/24 d.

Fifth gusset panel 46 a interconnects second end closure panel 32 to fourth side end closure panel 24 c/24 d.

Sixth gusset panel 46 b interconnects second lower end closure panel 32 to second securing flap 52 b.

A first pair of webbing panels 48 a, 50 a interconnects third side end closure panels 22 c/22 d to first lower end closure panel 30 and are hingedly connected to one another.

A second pair of webbing panels 48 b, 50 b interconnects first lower end closure panel 30 to first securing flap 52 a and are hingedly connected to one another.

Second side panel 16 comprises a handle structure H, handle structure H is preferably aligned with respect to the carton contents so that in use a user's fingers may displace one or both handle flaps inwardly of the carton 90. In the preferred embodiment the handle flaps are displaced inwardly into a void defined at least in part by a pair of articles C within the carton, or a space between a pair of such articles C.

Blank 10 comprises a first weakened line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e. First weakened line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e comprises five parts, 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e which are coupled one to the next in series.

First line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e comprises a first part 65 a defined in second side end closure panel 24 a/24 b which divides second side end closure panel 22 a/24 b into a first lower part 24 a, and a second, upper, part 24 b. First part 65 a extends through second bevel panel 56 when present.

A second part 65 b of first weakened line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e is defined in first side wall panel 12 and extends from an end edge defined by fold line 23 to an adjacent upper edge defined by fold line 13.

A third part 65 c of first weakened line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e extends across top panel 14 between fold lines 13 and 15.

A fourth part 65 d of first weakened line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e defined within second side wall panel 16 extends from an upper edge defined by fold line 15 to an adjacent end edge defined by fold line 27.

A fifth part 65 e of first weakened line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e is defined in fourth side end closure panel 24 c/24 d and divides fourth end closure panel into a first, upper, part 24 c and a second, lower, part 24 d; when fourth bevel panel 54 is provided fifth part 65 e extends across it also dividing into upper and lower sections.

In this way the first weakened line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e commences in second side end closure panel 24 a/24 b and terminates in fourth side end closure panel 24 c/24 d. The first weakened line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e defines a first corner portion A1.

Blank 10 comprises a second weakened line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e. Second weakened line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e comprises five parts, 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e which are coupled one to the next in series.

Second line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e comprises a first part 63 a defined in first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b which divides first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b into a first, lower, part 22 a, and a second, upper, part 22 b. First part 65 a extends through first bevel panel 58 when present.

A second part 63 b of second weakened line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e is defined in first side wall panel 12 and extends from an end edge defined by fold line 33 to an adjacent upper edge defined by fold line 13.

A third part 63 c of second weakened line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e extends across top panel 14 between fold lines 13 and 15.

Top panel 14 comprises a tear mechanism 62 provided as either an aperture or a tear tab defines by a weakened line of severance or cut line 61. Tear mechanism 62 is substantially C-shaped and intersects the third part 63 c of second weakened line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e. When the tear mechanism 62 comprises a tear tab the tear tab is hingedly connected to the top panel such that it can be engages to assist a user in removing a second corner portion A2 of the carton 90 which second corner portion A2 is defined in part by the second weakened line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e.

A fourth part 63 d of second weakened line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e defined within second side wall panel 16 extends from an upper edge defined by fold line 15 to an adjacent end edge defined by fold line 37.

A fifth part 63 e of second weakened line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e is defined in third side end closure panel 22 c/22 d and divides third end closure panel into a first, upper, part 22 c and a second, lower, part 22 d; when third bevel panel 60 is provided fifth part 63 e extends across it also dividing into upper and lower sections.

In this way the second weakened line of severance commences in first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b and terminates in third side end closure panel 22 c/22 d.

The second upper top end closure panel 28 comprises a glue tab 40 hingedly connected thereto by fold line 43 hingedly connected thereto by fold line 43. A weakened line of severance 41 extends across the glue tab 40, preferably the weakened line of severance 41 is arcuate in shape.

An end edge of the second lower end closure panel 32 comprises a free edge opposing the hinged edge defined by the hinged connected comprising fold line 49 to the base panel 12. Preferably, at least a portion of the free edge of the second lower end closure panel 32 comprises an arcuate shape so as to form a cut out or recess therein. The arcuate portion of the free edge is preferably complementary to the shape of the weakened line of severance 41.

Preferably, apertures 44 a, 44 b, 44 c, 44 d, 44 e, 44 f, 44 g, 44 h are provided at each of the corners of the top panel 14 and of the base panel 18 and are defined at least in part by a respective one of the top panel 14 or base panel 18 and by the respective gusset panel 36 a, 36 b, 38 a, 38 b, 46 a, 46 b or by a respective one of said pairs of webbing panels 48 a/50 a; 48 b/50 b.

Turning to the construction of the carton 90 as illustrated in FIG. 2, it is envisaged that the carton can be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine so that the carton 90 is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.

Carton 90 can be formed by folding securing panel 20 into overlapping relationship with base panel 18.

First side wall panel 12 and top panel 14 can be folded together about fold line 15 such that first side wall panel 12 overlies securing panel 20.

Securing panel 20 can be secured to first side wall panel 12 by adhesive or other suitable means. Likewise first securing flap 52 a can be secured to lower portion 22 a of first side end closure panel 22 a, 22 b and second securing flap 52 b can be secured to lower potion 24 a of second side end closure panel 24 a/24 b.

The partially formed carton can be shipped in this flat collapsed state if desired.

The flat collapsed carton can be assembled by forming a tubular structure for example by engaging the top panel 14 and the first sidewall panel 12 and bringing them into substantially perpendicular relationship, it is envisaged that other of the main panels 12, 14, 16, 18 could be engaged and manipulated to form the tubular structure.

One erected into the tubular structure the carton 90 can be loaded with one or more articles C from either open end of the tubular structure.

The open ends of the tubular structure may be closed by folding the first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b, second side end closure panel 24 a/24 b, third side end closure panel 22 c/22 d and fourth side end closure panel 24 c/24 d into substantially perpendicular relationship with the respective one of the first or second side wall panels 12, 16 to which they are hingedly connected.

As a consequence of folding the first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b, second side end closure panel 24 a/24 b, third side end closure panel 22 c/22 d and fourth side end closure panel 24 c/24 d the first and second upper end closure panels 26, 28 and first and second lower end closure panels 30, 32 are folded along the respective fold lines 45, 47, 49, 51.

The first upper end closure panel 26 may be secured to tear strip 34 by adhesive or other suitable means.

The second lower end closure panel 28 is then secured to the glue tab 40 by adhesive or other suitable means, such that the weakened line of severance 41 is substantially in registry with the portion of the end edge of the second lower end closure panel 32.

Preferably, upper portions 22 b, 24 b, 22 c, 24 c of the first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b, second side end closure panel 24 a/24 b, third side end closure panel 22 c/22 d and fourth side end closure panel 24 c/24 d are secured to a respective one of the first or second upper end closure panels 26, 28.

In the illustrated embodiment the upper portions 24 b, 24 c of the second and third side end closure panels 24 a/24 b, 24 c/24 d are provided with extensions E to provide additional securing surface area. Additionally, the second top end closure panel 28 comprises wing portions W for securing to upper portions of the second and third side end closure panels 24 a/24 b, 24 c/24 d.

These extensions E and wing portions W are beneficial when the corner portion A1 defined by the first weakened line of severance 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e removes less than half of the end wall defined by the end closure panels 24 a/24 b, 28, 24 c/24 d, 32.

The lower portion 24 a of second side end closure panel 24 a/24 b is secured preferably by adhesive or other known means to the second lower end closure panel 32; similarly the lower portion 24 d of the fourth side end closure panel 24 c/24 d is secured to the second lower end closure panel 32, such that when engaged by a user the second lower end closure panel 32 remains erected and is operable as a handle.

The lower portion 22 a of the first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b is not coupled or secured to the first lower end closure panel 30 that is to say it is adhesive free, likewise the lower portion 22 d of the third side end closure panel 22 c/22 d is not coupled or secured to the first lower end closure panel 30 such that lower portion 22 a of the first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b and lower portion 22 d of the third side end closure panel 22 c/22 d are unfoldable or extendable to form part of a channel along with the first lower end closure panel 30.

Carton 90, see FIG. 2, comprises first and second detachable corner portion A1, A2 each of which defines an access opening for deployment of the articles C. First detachable corner portion A1 defines an access opening for deployment of the articles C. Second detachable corner portion A1 defines a second access opening for deployment of the articles C.

FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate removal of the first and second detachable corner portions A1, A2.

A user may initiate tearing of the first weakened line 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, 65 d, 65 e in the first end wall by engaging the tab 42 defined in part by weakened line of severance 41.

A user may initiate tearing of the second weakened line of severance 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 d by engaging the tear mechanism 62 in the top panel 14.

FIG. 6 illustrates a carton 90 in which both the first and second detachable corner portions A1, A2 have been removed. A lower portion of an end wall defined in part by first lower end closure panel 30 and by lower portions 22 a, 22 d of first and fourth side end closure panels 22 a/22 b, 22 c/22 d form part of the dispenser D. The lower end closure panel 32 is folded about fold line 51 to be in a substantially planar relationship with the base panel 18. The lower portion 22 a of first side end closure panel 22 a/22 b is brought into a substantially planar relationship with the first side wall 12 due to the webbing panels 48 b, 50 b. The lower portion 22 d of fourth side wall 22 c/22 d is brought into substantially planar relationship with the second sidewall 16. First and third bevel panels 58, 60 when present, are folded about fold lines 33, 37 respectively so as to be in substantially planar relationship with the first and second side walls 14, 16.

The first and second detachable corner portions A1, A2 are of different shape. Detachable corner portion A1 comprises between one third and one half of top panel 14, and one half, or less than one half, of an upper portion of the end wall 28/32. Whereas second detachable corner portion A2 comprises less than a third of the top panel 14 and one half, or greater than one half, of an upper portion of the end wall 26/30. The first and second detachable corner portions A1, A2 are therefore asymmetric, as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 6. When removed, first detachable corner portion al exposes an upper portion of articles C in two or more rows. Whereas detachable corner portion A2 when removed exposes an upper portion of the endmost row only. Once the second detachable corner portion A2 has been removed and the dispenser D has been deployed that end of the tubular structure (formed by the top panel 16, base panel 18 at first and second sidewalls 12, 16) is fully open such that articles C may be slide outwardly thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 a user has deployed the dispenser D, and has engaged the second lower end closure panel 32 with one hand and has engaged end most articles C adjacent the second lower end closure panel 32 with the other hand.

In alternative embodiments the dispenser D may be deployed by pushing the articles C with respect to the carton 90.

The user can deploy all the articles C contained within the carton 90 simultaneously by pushing the articles C out of the carton as indicated by direction arrow D1. Alternatively the user may pull the carton 90 by the second cover end closure panel 32, as indicated by direction arrow D2 whilst holding the articles C in position with said one hand. Optionally the user may combine both pulling the carton 90 and pushing the articles C to dispense the articles C out of the carton 90 in the direction indicated by direction arrow D3.

In order to dispense all the articles C from the carton 90 the user may insert said one hand through the portion of the tubular structure remaining after removal of the first and second detachable corner portions A1, A2 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A carton for packaging one or more articles comprising a top panel, base panel and pair of opposing side panels forming a tubular structure, each end of the tubular structure being at least partially closed by a respective one of first and second opposed end walls each formed from end closure panels, wherein the carton comprises a first detachable corner portion defined by a weakened line of severance and comprising a first portion of said first end wall, a second detachable corner portion defined by a second weakened line of severance and comprising a first portion of the second end wall, wherein a second portion of the first end wall is operable upon removal of the first detachable corner portion to form a dispenser, and a second portion of the second end wall is operable to form a handle upon removal of the second detachable corner portion.
 2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a lower portion of each of first and second side end closure panels of the first end wall, and at least a portion of a lower end closure panel of the first end wall, the lower portions of the first and second side end closure panels and the at least a portion of the lower end closure panel form a channel.
 3. A carton according to claims 1 wherein the second portion of the second end wall comprises an engaging edge at least a portion of which is arcuate in shape.
 4. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the first detachable portion comprises a tear initiation mechanism defined in the top panel for initiating removal of the first detachable corner portion.
 5. A carton according to claim 4 wherein the tear initiation mechanism comprises either a hinged tab or aperture adjacent the first detachable corner portion.
 6. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the second detachable corner portion comprises an engaging tab defined in the second end wall for initiating removal of the second detachable corner portion.
 7. A carton according to claim 6 wherein the engaging tab is formed from at least a portion of a glue tab for securing upper and lower end closure panels of the second end wall to one another.
 8. A carton for packaging one or more articles comprises a top panel, base panel and first and second side panels together forming a tubular structure, each end of the tubular structure being at least partially closed by a respective one of first and second opposed end walls each formed from end closure panels, wherein the first end wall comprises a dispenser formed from the end closure panels of the first end wall and wherein the dispenser is deployable upon severance of a weakened line of severance, wherein the weakened line of severance extends across the first end wall into each of the first and second side panels and across the top panel to form a continuous weakened line.
 9. A carton according to claim 8 wherein the end closure panels of the first end wall comprise upper and lower end closure panels hinged to the top and base panels respectively and first and second opposed side end closure panels hinged to the first and second side panels respectively, the lower end closure panel being hinged to the base panel, the lower end closure panel comprises a tear strip defined in part by the weakened line of severance and wherein the tear strip is secured to the upper end closure panel and to each of the first and second side end closure panels and wherein upon removal of the tear strip the lower end closure panel and lower portions of the first and second side end closure panels are formable into a channel to form said dispenser.
 10. A carton for forming a loading tool for loading one or more articles into a receiver, the loading tool comprising a tubular structure for receiving one or more articles, the tubular structure having a first open end comprising a channel and a partially open second end for insertion of a pusher into the tubular structure to load said one or more articles into the receiver.
 11. A carton according to claim 10 comprising panels for forming a tubular structure and first and second opposed end walls each comprising end closure panels for closing a respective one of opposed ends of the tubular structure, the carton further comprising a first detachable corner portion comprising at least a portion of the first end wall and a second detachable corner portion comprising at least a portion of the second end wall, remaining portions of the first end wall being formable into a channel upon removal of the first detachable corner portion. 